warn the wicked

33:9 warn the wicked. Ezekiel, called as a watchman to warn Israel, was responsible to do his duty; otherwise he would be responsible for their deaths of the people, and would be punished accordingly. In parallel manner, the Christian disciple is called to bear witness to the saving gospel of Christ. If he fails in this, and those to whom he could have witnessed, are lost, then he must be judged—not for salvation, but for rewards. “He himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire” (I Corinthians 3:15).